Meet the Local Governing Body

Harry Harrison

Chair (Parent Elected)

Hello, my name is Harry, I am Chair of Governors for Lazonby C of E School. I have a long history and connection with Lazonby School, as my eldest son (now 23!) enjoyed his formative years, being guided and cajoled by the staff and teachers at Lazonby School. Currently, I have two children at school in Years 2 & 5 and a third who was schooled at Lazonby, and has just entered Year 9 at Ullswater Community College. I have lived in the village intermittently since 1995 and really enjoy the community spirit that is present within the village. This spirit, in my opinion centres around the school and all the activities that are undertaken throughout the academic year. I think we have an excellent and ever growing school with dedicated staff, who put our children at the centre of all their thoughts.

I currently work as a Commissioning Manager for the Children’s & Families Team in North Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group, but my background is in Children’s Physiotherapy, which I found very rewarding and enjoyable. My formative years started in Liverpool, up to the age of 16, when I joined the Royal Air Force and spent 10 happy years as a Physical Training Instructor at various camps and locations throughout the UK and Europe. I have a keen interest in all sporting activities and love the outdoor environment that is offered in Cumbria. I feel, that I have lots of transferable skills, that I have acquired over many years of work, being a member of Penrith Mountain Rescue Team and being a Scout Leader in the Eden Valley, that will benefit Lazonby School.

My aims are to ensure that all the children who attend Lazonby C of E School reach their maximum potential, enjoy their time at school, make some strong friendships for the future and to think that ‘whatever they want to do in life is possible and within their reach’.

Judith Kennedy

Foundation

Andrew Davies

Headteacher

I graduated from Charlotte Mason College in 1998 with a BA Honours degree in Environmental Science and Outdoor Studies in Primary Studies. I gained my first position as an NQT at Eaglesfield Paddle CE Primary School where I quickly took on different roles with in the school.

In the year 2000 I was honoured with the title of Most Outstanding New Teacher in the North East and Cumbria. I continued my journey at Eaglesfield becoming Deputy head and also acting headteacher. I then took on the role as acting head at Lazonby CE School in January 2016. In September 2016, after interview I was delighted to accept the role of Headteacher.

I believe that the children should be at the heart of what we do here in school and that the decisions we make are based around those children in our care. Using the outdoor environment, our local community, and church to learn are important in the way that we teach children. It is of utmost importance that we help our children to Dream, Believe and Achieve as well as helping them to live life in all its fullness.

In my spare time I love to get out biking both on road and off road, riding the trails and mountains in the Lake district. During my holidays you can find me fishing at Neist point on the Isle of Skye or on Loch Dunvegan. Weekends are always family time walking, cycling and geo-caching.

Laura Buck

Teacher Elected

Sue Harper

Foundation

Rob Dawson

Vice-Chair Foundation

I initially joined the governors as a parent nearly five years ago, but have since become a foundation governor. For the past three years I have served as the Vice-Chair, and sit on the Resources Committee.

I have two children at Lazonby School, one in Year 2, and one in Year 5. We moved to Lazonby in 2009.

My background is in secondary education, having trained in Leeds I returned to the Penrith area in 2002 and taught PE at Ullswater Community College for 12 years. During my time at UCC I also worked with the Eden Valley School Sport Partnership, working with local primary schools until 2006. I also worked as Head of Sixth Form at UCC for five years until I joined Queen Elizabeth Grammar School as Assistant Headteacher in 2014. I continue to teach PE, alongside Design Technology, and I am responsible for Teaching & Learning at QEGS.

Hilary Carrick

Local Authority

Cathy Casey

Parent Elected

My name is Cathy and my youngest daughter is currently in Year Three at Lazonby C of E School. My family and I came to the village in 2015 and watching how both of my daughters thrived at the school turned my mind to giving something back to our school and community in the form of a parent governor.

I currently run a small chain of specialist outdoor equipment shops with my husband Paul which over the years have given me a wide skill set in all aspects of running a business from marketing to finance to managing staff – all of which complement the wealth of experience held by the other governors here at Lazonby School. In addition, I spent seven years as a committee member, treasurer and then Chairman of the nursery in the village where we previously lived. During this time I ascended a magnificently steep learning curve in all aspects of professional childcare and became a veteran of three OFSTED inspections.

My key aims as a parent governor are to help parents navigate the sometimes baffling array of terminology used in today’s teaching environment (I know I’ve struggled with a few!) and to be part of ensuring that all children at the school receive the educational opportunities they deserve.

Julia Downie

Foundation

My name is Julia and I have lived with my husband in Great Salkeld for the last thirty two years with family members having lived in the village for over one hundred years. I have three children and two grandchildren.

I became a Foundation governor in November 2016 with particular responsibility for safeguarding, nursery and reception. I retired from social work in October 2014 spending much of my career in the Court Welfare Service and subsequently Cafcass, the court service involved in advising on children's issues in divorce and separation and the Children's Guardian role in Care Proceedings. As well as my social work qualification, I have a Diploma in Early Childhood Studies.

I hold various roles within St Cuthbert's Church PCC. I volunteer at the Carlisle Contact Centre. I enjoy travel, reading, playing bridge, tennis, gentle walking and singing in the rock choir.

My skills gained through my life experiences and my work career transfer to the role of school governor. I am committed to Lazonby School moving forward to the benefit of its pupils.